Tag Archives: Cross-cultural Adaptation

Thinking about studying in the U.S.? Chances are, you’re new to its education system, culture, study skills, communication styles, and professional networking. Well, have you ever considered how to prepare for the differences between your norms and what you’ll experience in the US?

You might think,

“Well, I traveled to the U.S. one time many years ago and I plan to watch American movies. Will that be enough preparation?”

No! The first year in the U.S. is critical for international students, and if they’re not ready for academic and cultural differences, they can experience significant hardships with school as well as a loss in time, money, and quality of life.

So how can you avoid this? Prepare early for U.S. academics and culture at home.

Use these 8 preparation tips to learn about study skills, culture, networking practices, and day-to-day life management strategies to help with faster adjustment and success at your new institution.

1. Connect with Students at Your Future School on Social Media

One way for you to feel connected to your future school and new home is by joining Facebook groups and other social media. Search your new school’s website for student clubs and organizations that interest you. After selecting one or two of your favorites clubs to join, connect to their social media sites. If these are unavailable, try searching for student groups specific to your university or general social media groups in the local area.

By introducing yourself online and following the group’s updates, you can begin new friendships with others who share your interests. You can also get information on events happening in your destination city. You’ll be able to enter university with a better sense of your surroundings and have more conversation topics to choose from.

Note: It’s not encouraged to “friend” individual people that you do not know / have never talked to on Facebook.

2. Watch Videos by Other International Students and Professors

Watch free online videos to learn what other students and teachers recommend. International students in the U.S. share what they have experienced and American students and faculty share strategies to succeed at their school. Depending on where you’re moving to, these people can help you avoid problems. Watch videos fromTaraMaddendent.com, YouTube, or Vimeo.

3. Attend U.S. Study Abroad Fairs

Attend U.S. study abroad fairs in your country and ask school representatives practical questions like:

What pre-departure preparation classes does your school provide for international students?

What support services are available for me after arriving to campus?

Who can I email at your school to learn more about day-to-day life as a student?

Follow up with the new school connections through email and social media. It’s amazing how these professionals can help you prepare for U.S. study.

4. Practice Speaking English

Become more comfortable speaking English by practicing with English speakers and American natives in your country by attending English and culture clubs. Many clubs are free and can be joined through Meetup.

5. Plan Your First Three Weeks

Give yourself something to look forward to when you first arrive and plan things to do in your first three weeks. Look at your school’s event calendar and add those you want to attend to your personal calendar. Look for a new gym, coffee shop, or place of interest and make a time to go there. Sign up for a fitness class or Meetup event.

Fill up your first 3 weeks in the U.S. with these events and give yourself a busy, but manageable schedule.

6. Take a Trip Before You Go

If you can, consider taking a trip to the U.S. before taking the leap to study abroad. International students who can travel to America for vacations, attend a U.S. high school, or study in short-term programs have unique opportunities to experience the country’s culture and academic systems.

Many international students who participate in summer or winter camps will be able to recognize if an American school is a good fit for their academic goals. These students are able to better prepare for language, culture, and academic differences through these prior experiences.

7. Use Free Online Resources

You can also learn about U.S. history, culture, and social norms online. Blogs and government websites are great tools for learning how to bridge differences between your culture and American culture. The U.S. State Department offers pre-departure support in their article titled 5 steps to U.S. study.

If you currently live near a U.S. Embassy, consider attending an EducationUSA pre-departure orientation where advisers and U.S. alumni provide information and resources to help you prepare for what you’ll experience in the U.S. To locate a center near you, visitEducation USA’s list of advising centers.

8. Earn Credits and Take an Online Preparation Class from a U.S. University

For the first time ever, American universities and colleges are offering international high school and undergraduate students online classes to help them prepare for studying in the US. These online university classes provide academic credits towards an undergraduate degree. You’ll learn strategies to earn higher grades, perform better in American classrooms, learn networking skills, how to bridge cultural gaps, and manage culture shock.

One class example is ELEC 110: U.S. Academics and Culture, a class offered by Sierra Nevada College, for international high school and undergraduate students. This four year private school provides international students with a letter of recommendation, certificates, and Priority Admission to their campus in addition to three transferrable credits towards an undergraduate degree. Scholarships are available for this program.

After taking this course, a high school student in Japan said, “This class has helped me prepare for the U.S. university. I have more confidence in myself because now I know what to expect in the U.S. university and cultures.”

But why do U.S. schools want international students to take online preparation classes? International students who prepare with formal training are more ready for schooling, language and communication, socialization, internships and employable positions in America. Since this option is new, here’s a basic list of what you should expect to learn in an online U.S. preparation class and the benefits you’ll earn.

What you’ll learn

Study skills, classroom etiquette, and presentation skills

How to write a college paper and take good class notes

How to get to know your American professor and earn better grades

Ways to prepare for quizzes and examinations in the US

US culture and communication skills

Time and health management skills

How to meet American friends and future employers

What you’ll gain

A competitive advantage on your school application

A U.S. transcript record with up to three academic credits towards your degree

A letter of recommendations from U.S. professors

A certificate of completion for your job resume and employment applications

Priority admission to select U.S. schools

Discounted online university tuition and special scholarships

Professional readiness for employment

Why You Should Prepare in Advance

Too many international students and their parents assume adjusting into U.S. classrooms and culture will be easy, but ultimately find that assimilation is way more difficult than they expected. In fact, research indicates that unprepared international students can experience academic troubles, misconduct penalties, culture shock, poor health, and even depression. They don’t achieve their academic or language goals, and some even drop out or transfer schools.

International students who prepare at home adjust faster in the U.S. with more confidence and skills to earn higher grades, live healthier lifestyles, develop English skills faster, and become more professionally ready for internships and employment. In fact, U.S. universities require international students to complete academic and cultural training because it’s critical for their success and well-being.

Unfortunately, most training takes place after international students arrive in the U.S., at a time when their energy and attention are split between many new responsibilities: mandatory orientations, moving in, class placement tests, joining clubs, finding classrooms, buying textbooks, and meeting new people, among many others. This is in addition to physical strains from time zone differences and recovering from international jet-lag.

Remember, the first year in the U.S. is critical for your success and health. Regardless of how you prepare for studying abroad in the U.S., it’s important that you do. Save yourself from the unnecessary hassle, time, money, and energy resulting from being unprepared.

Start preparing when before traveling to the U.S. to adjust faster with more confidence, more friends, higher grades, better communication skills, and a higher quality of life.

Space is limited so register today! Looking forward to meeting you on Sunday!

Helpful Resources: International Student video testimonies about U.S. study:

Many international students struggle with understanding and adjusting to U.S. academics and culture after they arrive for school. It can negatively impact their grades, health, communication and socialization, professional development, and home country relationships (Video Example:Research).

ABOUT HLSL INSTITUTE

HLSL Instituteprovides cultural training and preparation for students and scholars.

MISSION: We improve the quality of life for international students by teaching U.S. academics and culture. By taking our class, international students are more able to navigate U.S. college and university classrooms, campuses, and social networks to achieve academic, social, and professional goals. Through cultural education, we’re connecting the world, one person at a time.

Your Opportunity to Start U.S. College Online, Prepare for U.S. Study, & Graduate Faster!

Are you a high school or college student preparing to study in the United States?

If yes, you may qualify for the world’s first U.S. college preparation course: “U.S. Academics & Culture”! Join us on Tuesday, September 15 to learn how this online, 3 college credit class can help you learn U.S. success skills before their first semester.

There’s no need to apply and wait for U.S. college acceptance… take our class and start today! Pass the class and earn a U.S. college transcript accepted at accredited U.S. colleges and universities!

Students who pass “U.S. Academics & Culture” will earn:

Greater knowledge of U.S. success skills for study, communication, work, and socialization

U.S. college transcript with 3 course credits

Letter of recommendation from Ph.D. Professor for college applications and resumes

Certificate of competition for college applications and resumes

Acceptance into an elite 4-year private U.S. college (for high school seniors and older)

Entry into select scholarships (high school seniors and older)

Moreover, this course SAVES YOU MONEY!

Class space is limited due to high interest from students from all over the world. Learn more on Tuesday’s webinar about the world’s first U.S. college prep course worth U.S. college credits!

During this webinar you will learn about:

Great benefits of passing this online, self-paced “U.S. Academics and Culture” Course

How to successfully enroll and pass the online course

Reasons why U.S. universities want you to enroll and pass this course

Reasons why global employers want you to enroll and pass this course

Ways you can help other students prepare for U.S. study and earn money

The Need for Early Preparation for U.S. Study

Many international students struggle with understanding and adjusting to U.S. academics and culture after they arrive for school. It can negatively impact their grades, health, communication and socialization, professional development, and home country relationships(Video Example: Research).

AVOID the hardships by learning key transition and success strategies from the comfort of your home country. Our faculty (Ph.D. and MBA Professors) are the best in the world and specialize in the cross-cultural skills you need.

“This on-line course will provide the keys to success for studies in the United States. From how to effectively apply to your school of choice to strategies of how to integrate on campus when you first arrive, Tara and her team will guide you through the entire process.” Susie Askew, Director at the University of Nevada, RenoOffice of International Students and Scholars

“Knowing culture before coming to U.S. decreases anxiety for adjusting to new country. Just for my culture, I think it’s really mandatory, before.” — Minjae L., Seoul, South Korea

HLSL Institute is an international education service providing pre-departure cultural training and preparation for international students and scholars.

MISSION: We improve the quality of life for international students by teaching U.S. academics and culture. By taking our class, international students are more able to navigate U.S. college and university classrooms, campuses, and social networks to achieve academic, social, and professional goals. Through cultural education, we’re connecting the world, one person at a time.

Interested in learning why U.S. higher education is now offering pre-departure academic and cultural college prep courses to international students in foreign countries? Student success, international recruitment, and retention rates are definitely some benefits.

This video provides a 3 minute introduction to the research that led to today’s revolutionary international study abroad prep-classes.

First tested at a U.S. research university, then applied to HLSL Institute’s 2014 International Education Tour in South Korea and China, and now offered at U.S. schools, “U.S. Academics and Culture”, is an online or hybrid pre-departure school readiness class that strengthens academic performance, communication skills, and cultural adjustment. This student support effort also helps international students be healthier, safer, happier, and more professionally prepared in the U.S.

Because this classes teaches international students more accurate expectations about study, life, language, and work during first year experiences in the USA, high schools and universities can provide it simultaneously address recruitment, integration, and retention issues. Research findings indicated that international students are more confident (less stressed) to leave home and study in the USA, gain U.S. cultural knowledge and U.S. academic skills, better communicate with US natives and build more U.S. friendships, gain networking and small-talk skills, and better understand the importance for campus engagement and support resources.

U.S. institutions are now offering and/or requiring this class to prospective and newly admitted international students and domestic students before study abroad. Sierra Nevada College was the first private college who made the online class available to any international student in efforts to welcome and encourage them to the USA.

P.s. This class can also be effective for first-year international students who are already in the U.S. to aid with their transition, adjustment, and integration.

Contact me to learn how your U.S. high school or university can offer a pre-departure class like “U.S. Academics and Culture”.

One of my publications, “Preparing East Asian Undergraduates for the Cultural Challenges of Study in the U.S.”, is a policy white paper discussing how a pre-departure cultural preparation treatment influenced a group of international students’ experiences before, during, and after their first semester at a western U.S. research university. This topic is key to 21st century international education and I see it becoming the next wave of expected coursework for international students.

In this research study, although all participants wished they had taken a formal course about U.S. culture and academic systems while they lived in their home country, not one participant had received or even heard about organized cultural training or U.S. college preparation classes for study abroad before they arrived in the U.S.! This is significant since research indicates that cultural knowledge, realistic expectations, and adjustment management skills speed up cross-cultural adaptation, increases student success, and fosters student engagement (increases student retention rates).

I found that eastern Asian students are eager to learn about the U.S. culture and academic systems prior to leaving home for U.S. study during my 2014 International Education Tour in South Korea and China last fall. Many parents, schools, businesses, and government organizations have asked me to return this year… so I am!

In addition to teaching eastern Asian students about U.S. culture and academic systems, this year’s 2015 International Education tour will also share the research findings from my forthcoming publication entitled, “International Student Support Services Index” (ISSSI).

ISSSI organizes internationally related services by school and ranks institutions in relationship to other U.S. campuses. The index is grounded on five key research indicators that make up cross-cultural adjustment best practices to foster international (inbound and outbound) student success from pre-departure to repatriation/re-entry stages.

ISSSI’s research findings are made available through a free internationally circulated online publication used by domestic and international students, parents, study abroad organizations/placement services, recruiters, government organizations, secondary schools, and post-secondary international programs to better understand the U.S. international climate and individual campus internationalization efforts.

HLSL Institute provides educational services to international students, expatriates, international programs, and government organizations that bridge cultural gaps and connect the world, one person at a time.

About Me

Welcome to my blog.
I prepare international students, faculty, expatriates, and their families to successfully transition and adjust in the United States. My Ph.D. specializes in international education and this blog exists to help others relocating to the United States of America.